Signal device



v. v. VITALE SIGNAL DEVICE April 25, 1933.

Filed March 15, 1930 INVENTOR I Vbgcenf V VzLZaZe ATTORNEYS- WITNESSES Patented Apr. 25, 1933 UNITED STATES VINCENT V. VITALE, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK SIGNAL DEVICE Application filed March 13, 1930. Serial No. 435,522.

This invention relates to signals.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a novel and improved hand signal device, particularly adapted for use by automobile drivers to indicate to vehieles in the rear when stopping or turning.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved electric signal adapted to be secured to the hand of the vehicle driver.

A further improved object of the present invention is to provide in an electric signal device automatic switching means operable to energize an electric bulb when the hand of the wearer is opened.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an electric hand signal with switch means operable by movement of the hand to extended signalling position to energize an electric bulb of the signal device.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, it will be seen that the device includes a flexible signal base 10, one end of which is adapted to be secured to the wrist of a vehicle driver by a strap 11, while the opposite end is reduced and is adapted to be secured to one of the fingers of the driver by the band 12. The intermediate portion of the base 10 may also be secured to the hand by the provision of an encircling strap 13. The base 10 is of flexible material and forms a protective pad for the hand. Upon the base is mounted a rigid electric lamp and socket assembly generally indicated by the numeral 14. The assembly includes the bulb 15 and the threaded bulb receiving housing 16. The housing 16 forms one side of the energizing circuit for the bulb, it being connected to a wire 17 leading from a battery 18 through the binding post 19. The other side of the bulb is energized through a contacting tongue 20 which is directly associated with a conductor 21 to the binding post 22. The conductor 21 is associated with the bats tery 18 through a potentiometer 23, the arrangement being such that the'potentiometer provides for the use of various bulbs and for various potentials for illuminating them from the battery 18. The housing 16 is electrically associated with the binding post 19 by a metallic conducting bulb assembly base 24:, the forward end of which is provided with a pivoted finger extenson or arm 25 which extends to adjacent the end of the finger end of the base 10, to which it is secured for movement with the finger. The forward end of the housing 16 is provided with an arc-shaped contact extension 26, the arrangement being such that when thefinger of the drivers hand is bent as in the closed position of the hand indicated in Figure 2, 7 the extension 25 or arm is pivotally moved out of contact with the extension 26. When the hand is extended for signalling and the fingers thus opened, the extension 25 moves upwardly to contact with the extension 26 to provide completion of the electrical circuit to the lamp 15 therebetween. The structure is completed by the provision of a flexible cover 27 which extends over the base 10 and between which the'bulb assembly is positioned. A removable housing 28, having a colored lens 29 is provided for the housing 16, by removal of which a white light from the bulb may be exposed, thus the device may be used as a trouble lamp. When the device is to be used as a signal lamp, the cover 28 with a red lens, or its equivalent, is positioned over the housing 16 to provide a warning signal.

From the foregoing, it will readily be seen that the invention provides a novel and important combination and interrelation of parts. The device is simple in construction and operation, and particularly designed to meet the demands of economic manufacture. The invention is obviously not limited to the structural details here shown, but numerous changes, modifications, and the full use of equivalents may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, as outlined in the appended claim.

lVhat is claimed is A signal device adapted to be mounted on the back of the hand of a person, said device including a flexible base, means for securing one end of said base to the wrist of a person and the other end to one of the fingers, a metallic base plate positioned on said flexible base and extending forwardly to a point opposite the knuckle of said finger and rearwardly to a point on the back of the hand near the wrist, a metallic contact member pivoted to the forward end of said metallic base plate and secured for movement with the flexible base and said finger by said first mentioned securing means, a second metal plate of substantially the same dimensions as the base plate having a centrally positioned upstanding housing formed with a top, said top being provided with an integral lamp receiving socket, the forward end of said second plate being provided with an arcuate shaped contact portion partially encircling the pivot pointon said base plate, a contact tongue secured between said plates positioned to engage the center terminal of a lamp bulb to be received in said socket, insulating layers between said plates and between said contact tongue and said plates, a flexible cover provided with an opening to allow said housing to project therethrough, and means to secure said flexible base cover plates and tongue in assembled relation including said first mentioned securing means and a pair of insulated terminals, one of said terminals being electrically connected to said base plate and connectible to one side of a source of electrical energy and the other terminal being electrically connected to said contact tongue and connectible to the other side of said source.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 5th day of March, 1930.

VINCENT V. VITALE. 

